OREM, Utah – Karson Payton scored the game's only goal and Mitch Jensen earned his second straight clean sheet as No. 24 Utah Valley University defeated the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley, 1-0, on Saturday night at Clyde Field.
 
Payton's third goal of the season came in the 65th minute on a Paul Hoffmeister assist. Jensen made a pair of saves for the Wolverines' (9-3-0, 2-1-0), whose last seven wins have all been shutouts. UT Rio Grande Valley dropped to 3-6-2 overall and 1-2-1 in WAC play.
 
"The difference for us was to be very patient and to be resilient. We knew that UTRGV was going to be a very disciplined and organized side," said UVU head coach Greg Maas. "Early on we made the game a little bit more difficult on ourselves but in the second half we tried to stretch the game and there was a good spell where we pressed and got the goal we were deserving of."
 
For the second game in a row, Payton and Hoffmeister teamed up on a goal. In Thursday's win Payton found Hoffmeister but on Saturday the favor was returned. Payton's pressure on the UTRGV back line forced an errant pass and Hoffmeister snagged the loose ball and fed Payton just inside the top of the 18. After his first touch Payton fired the ball past the Vaqueros' keeper for the game-winner.
 
Utah Valley improved to 5-0 at home and have allowed just one goal – which came on a penalty kick -- at Clyde Field so far this season.
 
The Wolverines hit the road next week where they'll face Air Force on Friday, Oct. 14. The Falcons are 3-0-0 and join Seattle U as the only two unbeaten teams in the WAC standings and like Utah Valley are also 9-3-0 overall. UVU will also play at UMKC on Sunday, Oct. 14 during the two game swing.